KumarLab

Antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens is one of the biggest challenges faced by modern medicine today. With a lack of new antimicrobials in the developmental pipeline, particularly for Gram-negative pathogens, there are concerns that we are headed back to the pre-antibiotic era. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for a pressing need for more research to find effective antimicrobials. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance is key to developing new antimicrobials. Our laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the multidrug resistance of Gram-negative pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We also study the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the environment. The following is the list of key ongoing research programs in our laboratory.

Determinants of multidrug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii

This program aims to characterize Resistance Nodulation Division (RND) efflux pumps in A. baumannii, establish their substrate profiles, decipher their regulatory pathways, and investigate their role in the antibiotic resistance as well as virulence. Furthermore, we are studying the environmental determinants of multidrug resistance in A. baumannii.

Molecular mechanisms of assembly of RND efflux pumps of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This program investigates the assembly of RND pump complexes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Elucidating the mechanisms of interactions involving different components of RND pumps will help to design new therapy that can inhibit the action of these pumps by interfering with the assembly of different components.

Microbiological quality of drinking water from Manitoba First Nations

Specific goal of this program is to investigate the prevalence antibiotic resistant bacteria in source and drinking water from First Nations communities in Manitoba.

Funding Sources